Krill and squid school at the ocean surface, moments before blue and fin whales rise to the surface to feed. The krill is likely Euphausia pacifica, the squid are likely Loligo opalescens. A thin cloud of pink krill gathers at the ocean surface, where it is likely to be preyed upon by sharks, fish, birds and whales.
Species: Common squid, Krill, Euphausia pacifica, Loligo opalescens
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 27152
Fin whale underwater. The fin whale is the second longest and sixth most massive animal ever, reaching lengths of 88 feet.
Species: Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus
Image ID: 27593
Fin whale underwater. The fin whale is the second longest and sixth most massive animal ever, reaching lengths of 88 feet.
Species: Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus
Image ID: 27595
Fin whale underwater. The fin whale is the second longest and sixth most massive animal ever, reaching lengths of 88 feet.
Species: Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus
Image ID: 27596
Having just given birth moments before, a mother elephant seal barks at seagulls that are feasting on the placenta and birth tissues. The pup is unharmed; the interaction is a common one between elephant seals and gulls. Winter, Central California.
Species: Elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris
Location: Piedras Blancas, San Simeon, California
Image ID: 15481
Arizona lupine is a common early spring ephemeral wildflower of the Colorado Desert. The purple-pink flowers show a yellow spot on the upper petal, which changes in color to red once the flower has been pollinated to discourage insects from visiting it after pollination. This photo shows both red and yellow petals. Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
Species: Arizona lupine, Lupinus arizonicus
Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, California
Image ID: 10526
California dodder, a common stem parasite in California that typically parasitizes host shrubs. Dodders resemble tangled masses of orange spaghetti covering shrubs. Dodder is without chlorophyll and are nonphotosynthetic and is therefor an obligate parasite dependent on its host for water and nutrients through a root system that penetrates the stem tissue of the host.
Species: California dodder, Cuscuta californica
Image ID: 11333